The biggest political stories to look for in 2018

Even locally, the political silly season never seems to end lately, even locally.

In 2017, Will County saw its own big political stories, from a mayoral race echoing of the 2016 election in Bolingbrook, gubernatorial candidates making visits and a state budget crisis that had significant effects all over the state.

[Shaw Media file photo]

Now we’re in an election year, which means candidates for local, state and federal office will be crisscrossing the county to make their case to voters. There still will be some big stories that aren’t directly related to electoral politics, too.

Here are only some of the potentially big stories to look for in 2018:

[Shaw Media file photo]

Will County Clerk’s race

Will County Clerk Nancy Schultz Voots announced she would not be seeking re-election in July, and it is obvious that whomever replaces her will have some big shoes to fill. She’s worked in the office since 1975 and was first elected county clerk in 2002.

A few local politicians put their hats in the ring soon thereafter. The biggest name was Will County Board member Lauren Staley-Ferry, D-Joliet, but Lockport Township Clerk Denise Mushro-Rumchak and Republican Laurie McPhillips also decided to run.

Then, in December, it was revealed that Staley-Ferry faced a forgery charge from 15 years ago when she was working in Arizona. The charge eventually was dropped in 2012 after prosecutors couldn’t find her because she had left the state.

It’s uncertain how the charge will affect her campaign but she’s said she will not drop out.

[Shaw Media file photo]

Gubernatorial race

The state budget crisis loomed large over schools, social service agencies and of course local governments in 2017. Now that many of those institutions are starting to see state money flowing again (with the help of higher taxes), it’s up to the voters in both parties to determine how much Gov. Bruce Rauner is to blame.

Although Chicago Alderman Ameya Pawar already has dropped out of the race for the Democratic nomination, some big names remain. Chicago billionaire J.B. Pritzker still is the leader of the pack, but businessman Chris Kennedy and state Sen. Daniel Biss, D-Evanston, are looking to pull off the upset.

Even within Republican circles, Rauner has his challenges. State Rep. Jeanne Ives, R-Wheaton, is running against Rauner for the Republican nomination. While she’s a long shot, she’s gotten some attention, even locally receiving an endorsement from Wheatland Township Republicans.

[Shaw Media file photo]

Lipinski fighting for his political life

Are we seeing the last of the Blue Dog Democrats? U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski, D-Western Springs, is facing probably the most difficult challenge to his seat representing the 3rd Illinois District in Marie Newman.

Newman has successfully courted the progressive wing of the party. She’s received endorsements from the likes of feminist activist Gloria Steinem, the progressive policy group MoveOn and the Human Rights Campaign. Lipinski has garnered criticism from progressives about his anti-abortion stance and lack of enthusiasm for securing legal status for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients.

This year, we could see at least one debate between the two, as Newman publicly challenged Lipinski, and his team has said it is open to it ahead of the March primary election.

[Eric Ginnard - eginnard@shawmedia.com]

Economic growth meets local resistance

For years, Will County has seen continued economic growth with new companies such as Amazon setting up shop.

It’s generally been good news, but one of the biggest economic stories of 2017 that looks as if it will continue into this year is how some locals are showing antipathy to the growth.

In everything from the plans for more warehouses in Romeoville to opposition to the Great Lakes Basin Railroad, there have been multiple projects that have deeply concerned residents. But no project looks to be in for a fight more than the Compass Business Park in Elwood and Manhattan.

NorthPoint Development’s proposed 2,000-plus-acre industrial park stirred a number of residents to organize a movement called “Just Say No to NorthPoint.” Toward the end of last year, hundreds attended a public hearing with another one coming up Thursday.

As Elwood and Manhattan local governments debate about how to respond to their residents, it looks like an issue that won’t go away in 2018.

[Seth Perlman]

#MeToo movement

The substantial reaction and continuation of the #MeToo movement in the wake of a series of allegations of sexual misconduct by powerful men in the media and politics is sure to continue in 2018.

Locally, there haven’t been any major stories since the Harvey Weinstein story broke in October, but there have been plenty of instances of sexual misconduct claims in the past among public officials.

This also could have repercussions in Springfield with the recent appointment of the special legislative inspector general, who is tasked with dealing with a backlog of sexual harassment complaints.

Local governments also have had to make changes, although some were minor, to their municipal codes to comply with the new state statute about how government units should handle, report and investigate accusations of sexual harassment and training.

Could these new measures reveal further claims that have yet to come to light?